Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 268

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Chusan Archipelag4.

MAY,

Gough i passage. This passage (by far the best of any leading to Chusan) is formed by Futoo shan on the east, and the Central is- lands (four in number) on the west. In the passage both shores are steep to: but south of the southern islet of the central group is a shoal, of which the lead will give warning. The passage is 1.4 mile through, and 5 cables wide.

Robert's passage.

'Robert's best passage' is formed by the Cen- tral islands on, the east, and the mud extending from Mei shan on the west, which dries que mile from the solid ground. The boundary of the passage westerly, therefore, is not known, except at low water, the lead giving no warning. The depth of water varies from 6 to 40 fathoms. The channel is 1.8 mile through, and 5 cables

wide.

Ketow or Kitto Mt). The course, after you are through these two passages, 旗頭) for Ketow point, will be N. 41° E, 9 miles. Anchorage will be

(also on some Chinese maps written

found anywhere along the Ketow shore, until one mile to the north- ward of Singlosan, a small islet near the Ketow shore, where the water deepens suddenly; and as there is no anchorage beyond this, until you get to Elephant island, ships are advised not to proceed, unless they have sufficient wind or tide to carry them in.

Tides. In these passages the first of the flood comes from the northward, and runs sometimes for three hours before it takes the same direction as the ocean tide.

Ten foot Junk passage. Between Mei shan and the Ketow shore there is a narrow passage 21 cables wide. It has deep water 5, 6, and 7 fathoms through, until you arrive at its southern extrem- ity, where it shoals considerably. There may be more than 10 feet, as only one line of soundings was run across the bar. There is how- ever no likelihood of its ever being used. Near the centre of the passage, on the Ketow side, there is a custom-house, and two canals which communicate with large villages in the neighborhood.

Kwŏkeu so

Two miles from the northern entrance is the walled town of Kwokeu, a military station; interruption to our sounding operations in 1840 was experienced from this quarter.

The several islands which form these passages may be here briefly described.

Lowang or Luhivangis 94 miles long, and 6 miles across, at the broadest part, which is the western extreme. Near the centre it is little more than two miles across, and very little elevated above the level of the sea. The southeast body of the island' rises to the